Round up: Women in BIM Conference Brisbane 2026

by Rebecca De Cicco, Founder and Global Chair, Women in BIM

I remember standing in Brisbane on 12 March 2026 for the Women in BIM Conference, looking out across a room filled with people who did not just believe in change, but were ready to act on it. Over a decade ago, Women in BIM began as a simple idea: to connect, support and elevate women in digital construction. Today, that idea has grown into a global community spanning more than 115 countries, yet moments like this remind me that our strength has always been rooted in local action.

The Women in BIM Conference in Brisbane was never intended to be just another industry event. It was designed as a catalyst. Under the theme “Action: taking action for a better future for our people and our plane”, we challenged ourselves and our community to move beyond conversation and into tangible, measurable change.

This theme marked an important evolution in our journey. In earlier conferences, we spoke about vision and possibility. In Brisbane, we asked something more of ourselves. What are we doing differently tomorrow? How are we embedding inclusion, sustainability and digital transformation into the very fabric of the built environment?

From the very first session, it was clear that this was a gathering of people committed to doing, not just discussing. Across a full day programme of keynotes, panels and presentations we explored leadership, policy, digital delivery and workforce transformation.

I was particularly proud of the diversity of voices represented. Industry leaders such as Julie Jupp, Alison Watson and Christian Dorst shared insights on everything from building the digital workforce for major global events to scaling digital delivery across complex health infrastructure. Panels brought together experts like Katie Kanderlaas, Andrew Curthoys and Carol Hon, each offering perspectives grounded in real-world experience and a shared commitment to progress.

What struck me most was not just the calibre of the speakers, but the honesty of the conversations. We spoke about the realities of change management, the challenges of embedding digital practices at scale and the cultural shifts required to create truly inclusive environments. These were not abstract ideas. They were practical, actionable insights that attendees could take back to their projects, their organisations and their communities.

And that is why events like this matter.

As a global organisation, Women in BIM has always been about connection. But connection alone is not enough. It is what we do with that connection that defines our impact. Conferences like Brisbane create a unique space where ideas are shared, relationships are built and, most importantly, action is ignited. They allow us to bridge the gap between global ambition and local implementation.

While our network spans continents, change happens in offices, on sites and within project teams. It happens when someone feels empowered to speak up, to lead differently, to challenge the status quo. It happens when knowledge is shared and when opportunities are created for others to grow.

Over the past 14 years, I have watched this community evolve into something far greater than I ever imagined. We have built a platform that supports mentorship, leadership and collaboration. We have created visibility for women in an industry where that visibility has not always existed. And we have done so by working together, across borders, cultures and disciplines.

Brisbane was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we bring that global community together in a local context. It showed us that action is not a single moment, but a continuous commitment. A commitment to each other, to our industry and to the future we are building.

As I reflect on the conference, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and responsibility. Pride in what we have achieved and responsibility for what comes next. The conversation does not end when the event closes, in many ways, that is where the real work begins.

Women in BIM has always been about people. About creating a space where individuals feel supported, inspired and equipped to make a difference. Brisbane reinforced that this mission is more important than ever.

Now, it is up to all of us to take that energy forward. To turn insight into action. To ensure that the momentum we created together continues to shape a more inclusive, sustainable and future-ready built environment for generations to come.